Mysterious object from space strikes United Airlines flight over Utah
▼ Summary
– The NTSB is investigating a United Airlines flight that was struck by an object in its windscreen mid-flight over Utah.
– The aircraft, a 737 MAX traveling from Denver to Los Angeles, diverted and landed safely in Salt Lake City after the incident.
– Images showed significant cracking on the front window and a pilot’s arm cut by small glass shards from the impact.
– The object’s origin is unconfirmed, though the captain reportedly described it as “space debris.”
– The windscreen did not shatter completely due to its multi-layer construction, and cabin pressure was maintained despite the damage.
A commercial airliner operated by United Airlines sustained significant damage to its cockpit windscreen from a high-altitude impact over Utah, prompting a federal investigation into the unusual incident. The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated a formal inquiry after the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft encountered what the flight captain reportedly described as space debris during its journey from Denver to Los Angeles. Despite the dramatic nature of the event, the crew demonstrated remarkable professionalism by safely diverting and landing the aircraft at Salt Lake City International Airport without further complications.
Photographs circulated following the incident reveal a heavily cracked windshield on the pilot’s side, with visible damage extending to the surrounding metal frame. The images clearly show where an unidentified object struck with considerable force near the window’s upper right section. Additional photos depict a pilot’s arm bearing multiple lacerations, apparently caused by fine glass fragments dislodged during the impact. The aircraft’s multi-layered windshield construction proved critically important, as the laminate layers prevented the window from fully shattering despite the violent strike.
At the time of the incident, the aircraft was cruising at approximately 36,000 feet, well above the 30,000-foot threshold where cabin pressurization becomes essential for passenger safety. Aviation experts note that the cockpit maintained proper pressurization throughout the event, preventing what could have been a catastrophic decompression scenario. The NTSB has confirmed it is collecting radar information, weather data, and flight recorder details while arranging for the damaged windscreen to undergo laboratory analysis. The origin of the striking object remains unconfirmed, though the space debris theory presents unusual challenges for investigators given the difficulty of tracking such materials in Earth’s atmosphere.
(Source: Ars Technica)
